Synthesis and holographic storage properties of polymethacrylates with azothiazole chromophore in the side chain

Polymers containing azothiazole chromophores in their side chain were synthesized by radical copolymerization with methyl methacrylate and characterized by ¹H NMR, FT-IR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Also, its holographic properties were investigated in thin-film copolymers samples. A comparison is made with azobenzene polymers to study the effect of chromophore structure on optical storage properties. Thin films of polyesters were prepared and diffraction grating was formed on their surface. These polyesters exhibited diffraction patterns owing to the reorientation of azo chromophores by the cis-trans isomerization process. This reorientation results in a change in the polymer refractive index, which can be used to fabricate several optical devices.